Maine Celebrates Career and Technical Education Month in February

(Pictured: Students and instructors from the Outdoor Skills and Leadership program at Region 9 School of Applied Technology in Mexico, Maine.)

Over the last six years, Career and Technical Education (CTE) enrollment in Maine has increased by more than 20%. Currently, there are more than 10,500 enrollments in Maine CTE programs – the highest number to date. Maine’s CTE schools provide students with access to more than 90 unique programs that prepare them for a variety of post-secondary pathways.

Career and Technical Education has become a sought-after education pathway for Maine students. Maine’s CTE programs provide students with learning opportunities that set them up for post-secondary success. Students often graduate with licensure, real-world experience, college credits, and workforce connections.

On February 5 and 12, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) hosted students, instructors, and CTE administrators from about two dozen CTE schools across Maine in the Hall of Flags at the Maine State House. These events offered a chance for CTE schools to set up displays and showcase their programs and student success.

February 5 event:

During the February 12 celebration, Curt Ring, the CTE director at Northern Penobscot Technical Center Region III in Lincoln, spoke to the audience about the success of the school’s welding program. Last year, the school graduated 25 students, 15 of whom went straight to work and had a combined salary of more than $1 million.

Other speakers that day included Lewiston Regional Technical Center (LRTC) student Leah Walton and Region 9 School of Applied Technology student Gage Lee.

A SkillsUSA State Officer, Walton shared how her CTE journey took her out of her comfort zone, encouraging her to try new things and to work through hard things, finding strength through solid teamwork. Walton is a senior in LRTC’s cosmetology program and plans to pursue the pre-law and legal studies program at Husson University next year.

Meanwhile, further west in Mexico, Maine, Lee attends the Outdoor Skills and Leadership program at Region 9. He shared how much he is learning in his program at Region 9, and how important conservation has become to him. His journey has given him the tools to not only share Maine’s natural beauty with others but also to help them be stewards of the environment.

February 12 event:

Lee’s instructor, Jeffrey Rainey, runs the Outdoor Skills and Leadership program at Region 9. Enthusiastic students from this program accompanied Rainey and shared some of the things they like best about the program, which include having class outdoors and going fishing. Rainey shared that while students are having fun along the way, the two-year program also prepares them for Maine’s guide license exam, which is one of the most rigorous guide license exams in the nation.

These two Hall of Flags events drew in representatives from almost all of Maine’s 27 CTE schools as well as Maine FFA, DECA, SkillsUSA, Bridge Academy, and MACTE. Maine DOE staff, legislators, partners, and supporters from across the state attended to celebrate the continued expansion of CTE in Maine. During the February 5 event, Governor Janet Mills stopped by to welcome everyone to the Hall of Flags and make her rounds to hear from CTE students directly.

All of Maine’s secondary students can access one of Maine’s 27 CTE schools. Maine CTE programs prepare students to be ready for career and post-secondary opportunities by delivering expert instruction in national industry-related standards and technical skills; providing an opportunity for student academic success through multiple pathways; partnering with area employers and local industry to ensure that students are ready and prepared to meet the needs of the workforce; introducing and reinforcing general employability skills that are common to all work environments; coordinating with postsecondary partners to facilitate a seamless transition into continued learning opportunities; and providing middle school students with the resources and education to explore their career pathway choices.

One Week Remaining to Participate in Read to ME Challenge and Enter Author Drawing

There is one week left of the Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) 10th annual Read to ME Challenge! Since 2015, this month-long public awareness campaign has supported children’s literacy growth by encouraging adults to read to and/or with children during the month of February. Participants are encouraged to capture a 15-minute session with a photo or video, posted to social media to encourage others to take part.

As a reminder, this year, the Maine DOE is offering an exciting incentive to celebrate a decade of Read to ME Challenge success. Participating schools and organizations may choose to fill out this form for a chance to be entered into a random drawing at the end of the Challenge, which concludes after Read Across America Day (recognized this year on March 3). About a dozen winners will be selected from this drawing for a visit from a Maine author before the end of the school year in June!

Please visit the Maine DOE website to learn more about the Read to ME Challenge. If you are submitting to win an author visit, you must complete your entry by Friday, March 7, 2025.

To share your photos/videos on social media, please use #ReadtoME or #ReadaloudME, or tag @MaineDepartmentofEducation1! on Facebook and @mainedepted on Instagram. You may also contact Maine DOE Communications Outreach Manager Rachel Paling at Rachel.Paling@maine.gov with photos/videos.

For questions about the Read to ME Challenge, please contact Maine DOE Director of Early Learning Lee Anne Larsen at Leeann.Larsen@maine.gov.

Maine DOE Seeking Public Comment for a Tydings Amendment Waiver of FY24 ESEA Funds and FY25 Carryover of Excess Title I, Part A Funds

Pursuant to the authority granted under Section 8401(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the Maine Department of Education (DOE) intends to apply for a Tydings Amendment waiver and a Title I Carryover of Excess waiver from the U.S. Department of Education (USED). As required, the Maine DOE is seeking public comment from February 24 to March 14, 2025, on the request to waive the period of availability for ESEA funds and Title I, Part A carryover limitations. This public comment period has been extended for longer than 15 days, acknowledging the return from February break.

Maine will be seeking:

A Tydings Amendment waiver from Section 421(b) of the General Provisions Act to the USED. The Tydings Amendment waiver seeks an extension to the availability of Federal Fiscal Year 2023/State Fiscal Year 2024 ESEA funds. Programs affected by this waiver include:
- Title I, Part A of the ESEA (Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Education Agencies [LEAs]), including the portions of the state education agency’s (SEA) Title I, Part A award used to carry out Section 1003 school improvement, Section 1003A direct student services, if applicable, and Title I, Part D, Subpart 2.
- Title I, Part B of the ESEA (State Assessment Formula Grants).
- Title I, Part C of the ESEA (Education of Migratory Children).
- Title I, Part D, Subpart 1 of the ESEA (Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At-Risk).
- Title II, Part A of the ESEA (Supporting Effective Instruction).
- Title III, Part A of the ESEA (English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement).
- Title IV, Part A of the ESEA (Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants).
- Title IV, Part B of the ESEA (21st Century Community Learning Centers).
- Title V, Part B, Subpart 2 of the ESEA (Rural and Low-Income School Program).
- McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program.
A carryover limitation waiver from Section 1127(a) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended for Federal Fiscal Year 2024/State Fiscal Year 2025 Title I, Part A funds. The carryover limitation waiver seeks to waive the requirement that limits the Maine DOE’s ability to grant to its LEAs a waiver of the 15-percent Title I, Part A carryover limitation of more than once every three years.

The Maine DOE must solicit and respond to public comments on its waiver request, as well as provide evidence of the available comment period. As the Maine DOE moves forward to provide as much flexibility as possible, and continued support for expending ESEA federal funds, comments may be submitted to Shelly Chasse-Johndro at shelly.chassejohndro@maine.gov.

Meet Lyseth Elementary Environmental Literacy Teacher and School Garden Coordinator Leigh Quigley

Throughout the years, Portland Public Schools (PPS) has implemented an Outdoor and Experiential Learning program in all of its 10 elementary schools. Over time, this program has evolved from focusing solely on school gardens, to including the habitat of the living schoolyard, to now, incorporating a deeper, systematic implementation of Environmental Literacy that aligns with students’ learning standards and grade-level curriculum.

Now, a few of the PPS elementary schools have an Environmental Literacy Teacher, whose role is unique to itself and the school where the teacher is based. At Lyseth Elementary School, the Environmental Literacy Teacher and School Garden Coordinator is Leigh Quigley, a passionate gardener who brings much personal experience and excitement to her role. She assists with the school garden program, established with support from parent volunteers and the local non-profit Cultivating Community, which helped to build and implement an elementary garden curriculum.

“My role as Environmental Literacy Teacher/School Garden Coordinator is to help teachers build capacity toward integrating the natural world into PPS Wabanaki and Life Science units, as well as other areas of the curriculum in which it benefits students to incorporate the schoolyard into their studies,” Quigley explained.

To do so, Quigley incorporates environmental and science education, socio- and eco-justice, Indigenous knowledge, biodiversity, natural resources, climate change, sustainability, and more into all that she does with students.

Additionally, the collaborative teaching model of the Outdoor and Experiential Learning program offers embedded professional development designed to uplift and support classroom teachers as they work to provide equitable access to the natural world for all children through the PPS curriculum. The Environmental Literacy Teachers also help to run year-round Wabanaki fieldwork for k-5 students.

“I directly teach specific Science and Wabanaki units/lessons,” Quigley said. “I also support teachers with their English Language Literacy curriculum by creating avenues for students to bridge the topics they are learning about in class through added exposure to the topics (or related topics) via an environmental/ecological/scientific/Indigenous lens.”

This fall, Quigley held a schoolwide garden celebration with students, teachers, families, and community members. Students harvested fall produce from the garden, planted overwintering crops like garlic, weeded and redesigned outdoor learning spaces, and helped tuck the garden in for the winter.

Leigh brings a lot of love to her work and encourages students to grow and cultivate a lasting relationship with nature.

“In this role, I have the utmost pleasure of seeing struggling students take on leadership roles and experience success in activities and tasks that are completely new to them,” Quigley said. “It is extremely gratifying. The real reason behind my position is fostering academic, social, and emotional growth and success in students, while helping them build a (hopefully) positive, lifelong relationship with the natural world.” This experience-based, hands-on learning approach helps students to build relationships, reciprocity, respect, and responsibility for the Earth’s ecosystem and for each other. It also offers a level playing field that welcomes and supports every student, no matter their background, experience, or abilities.

Some of Quigley’s favorite student reactions thus far include:

“Look at this! This is OUR garden.” (This comment came after a weeks-long student clean-up project in the fall.)
“I love Tuesdays. That’s when I have Garden class.”
“Do we get to go outside today?!”
“Did we really harvest over 100 lbs. of carrots?!”
“Working in the garden makes me feel good.”
“Do we have to go back inside already?” (This comment came after a 45-minute class outdoors.)
“Look what I found!” (Quigley mentioned that this is a common remark among students when they find things like worms, roly-polys, grubs, millipedes, animal tracks in the snow, and animal nests.)

Part B of Celebrating Rural Maine Project to Focus on Wabanaki Perspectives

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Interdisciplinary Instruction Team is pleased to announce the distinguished speakers for Part B of the Celebrating Rural Maine project! This three-part professional learning series engages rural educators in a deep exploration of Maine’s history. All teachers are welcome to participate in Part B, regardless of prior participation in other sessions.

Event Details

The series consists of three Saturday colloquiums on March 8, April 12, and May 17, each scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and centered on this year’s theme: “Geography of the Place We Now Call Maine”. These sessions provide a unique opportunity to engage with content experts, master teachers, and colleagues in discussions about Wabanaki studies, outdoor learning, innovative teaching models, and climate education.

Ongoing Engagement with Educational Strategies

Throughout the series, Dr. Mark Hofer (College of William & Mary) and Jessica Fries-Gaither (Albert Einstein Distinguished Fellow, Library of Congress) will demonstrate strategies for integrating primary sources to deepen connections with content.

Why Participate?

These colloquiums offer an engaging, interdisciplinary approach to understanding Maine’s history through geographical, cultural, and historical lenses. Educators will receive five contact hours per session.

Click here to learn more and register.

For more information, please contact Regina Holland, National Council for History Education Program Manager, at regina@ncheteach.org.

The Interdisciplinary Instruction Team is a part of the Maine DOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning.

This opportunity is funded through the Library of Congress’ Teaching with Primary Sources program and presented in partnership with the National Council for History Education.

Mt. Ararat Middle School Teacher Brings Real-World Problem Solving into the Classroom

The Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Interdisciplinary Instruction Team is proud to highlight a transformative shift taking place at Mt. Ararat Middle School, where student-centered learning is redefining how students engage with their education.

Mt. Ararat Middle School educator Gretchen Feiss has brought real-world problem solving into her classroom through the Maine Solutionaries Project, empowering students to tackle complex global and local challenges. This approach shifts students from being passive learners to active changemakers, equipping them with the skills and mindset to make a meaningful impact.

For Feiss, the transition to Solutionary learning stemmed from a belief that students learn best when their education connects to real-world issues they care about. Traditional instruction often leaves little room for students to explore their own questions, and Feiss wanted to change that. By allowing students to identify problems, research solutions, and take meaningful action, she has transformed the classroom into a space where learning has a direct, real-world relevance.

Feiss said at times, guiding students through inquiry to action comes with challenges.

“They struggle with identifying good questions to ask but also with imagining solutions and strategies,” Feiss explained. As a mentor, Feiss helps students to sharpen their research skills, ask deeper questions, and think critically about the information they find. For seventh graders with limited experience in research and problem-solving, this support is essential.

As students pursue diverse projects, keeping up with their progress and providing guidance can be challenging. One innovative solution Feiss has used is introducing artificial intelligence tools, like ChatGPT, to help students identify key contributors working on their chosen topics. Many middle schoolers are unfamiliar with the organizations and individuals addressing social and environmental challenges, and AI provides an entry point to discovering these connections.

Beyond academic skills, Feiss has witnessed a shift in how students perceive learning itself.

“I think they see it less as something that is done to them and more as something driven by their choices,” she said. By giving students the independence to explore their interests, they have developed a sense of ownership over their education, leading to deeper engagement and more meaningful learning experiences.

One of the most exciting aspects of Solutionary learning is its connection to the real world. Feiss encourages students to reach out to experts, helping them craft professional emails and messages. These efforts have had a powerful impact. One student group received a response from the head of a wildlife protection organization in Uganda, making their research feel far more relevant. These experiences help students see that real people are working on the issues they care about — and that they, too, can be part of the solution.

Despite any challenges her classroom has experienced, one thing is clear: Student-centered learning is making a difference. By equipping students with the tools to research, communicate, and take action on issues they care about, Feiss is helping to shape a generation of informed, engaged citizens. As the classroom continues to evolve into a space where students don’t just acquire knowledge but use it to create change, the possibilities for their futures are limitless.

To learn more about the Maine Solutionaries Project’s upcoming cohorts, including a literacy-focused cohort and a numeracy-focused cohort, please visit the Maine Solutionaries Project webpage or contact Kathy Bertini, Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Coordinator, at kathy.bertini@maine.gov, or Erik Wade, Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist, at erik.wade@maine.gov.

The Interdisciplinary Instruction Team is a part of the Maine DOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning.

The Maine Solutionaries Project funds received from the U.S. Department of Education (USED) support the implementation of this project. The project has an award totaling $1.34 million, of which 100% is federally-funded and directly attributed to project implementation. The contents are those of the Maine Solutionaries Project and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by the USED or the U.S. Government.

Maine Department of Education Releases Interactive AI Guidance Toolkit for Schools and Educators

The Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning is excited to announce the release of an AI Guidance Toolkit. This dynamic resource goes beyond traditional policies, pairing guidance with learning by offering practical tools, real-world scenarios, and ongoing learning opportunities that support ethical, responsible, and effective AI use. Grounded in digital citizenship and computer science foundations, this toolkit is designed to enhance the understanding and application of artificial intelligence in education.

To ensure this resource remains relevant, responsive, and tailored to Maine’s unique education needs, this toolkit was developed in collaboration with Maine educators and stakeholders and features a framework to help shape district policies, promote ethical AI use, and develop a deeper understanding of how to work with AI.

Whether you’re just getting started, want to know more about what’s happening across the state, or looking to dive right into integrating AI in education (or maybe already are!) – this resource has something for everyone.

The Maine DOE is excited to offer learning sessions to share a walkthrough of the AI Guidance Toolkit and answer questions. Below are the dates and a link to register and receive the Zoom link. These sessions will be hosted by the Maine DOE’s Learning Through Technology (LTT) Team, featuring Nicole Davis, the LTT Team’s Emerging Technology Specialist.

Session 1: Tuesday, February 25, 3 p.m. – Register here.
Session 2: Friday, February 28, 8 a.m. – Register here.
Session 3: Monday, March 3, 4 p.m. – Register here.
Session 4: Thursday, March 6, 8 a.m. – Register here.

Can’t make it but want to know more? At least one session will be recorded for later viewing and will be made available on the Maine DOE’s YouTube channel.

Check out the Maine AI Guidance Toolkit here.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Nicole Davis at nicole.davis@maine.gov.

Maine DOE Update – February 14, 2025

From the Maine Department of Education

News & Updates

Registration Now Open for the MLTI Student Conference in May

Registration is now open for the 2025 Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) Student Conference in May! The deadline to register is March 28, 2025. | More

Applications Open for Transition to Kindergarten Planning Assistance and Mini-Grant Opportunity; Informational Session on February 25

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Early Learning Team, in partnership with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Child and Family Services, is pleased to announce that applications are open for a second round of Transition to Kindergarten planning assistance with mini-grant funding to support the development of high-quality kindergarten transition teams and plans. The deadline to apply is March 7, 2025. | More

Student Opportunity: Register Now for Climate&Me Youth Leadership Summit

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is excited to be partnering with the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, the Maine Environmental Education Association, Maine Youth for Climate Justice, the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance, and JustME for JustUS to host the Climate&Me Youth Leadership Summit in April. | More

Applications Open for Student Position on Maine State Board of Education

The Maine State Board of Education is currently seeking applications for its newest student member to join the Board. This is an extraordinary opportunity for Maine students to practice civic engagement and serve as both a representative of Maine students and an active education leader in the state. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

Q&A with Becky Hallowell, Maine’s 2025 Teacher of the Year

Get to know the 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year, Becky Hallowell, who teaches fourth-grade students at Wiscasset Elementary School on the bank of the Sheepscot River. Becky shares more about herself in this Q&A, as she begins her year of service. | More

Reeds Brook Middle School Student Wins MLTI Maine Winter Classic T-Shirt Design Contest

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is extending a big congratulations to Sophia Smith, a 7th-grader at Reeds Brook Middle School in Hampden, whose design was selected to represent the 2025 Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) Maine Winter Classic! | More

Cynthia Martell Named 2025 Maine School Counselor of the Year

The Maine School Counselor Association (MESCA) has announced that Cynthia Martell, school counselor at Captain Albert Stevens Elementary School in Belfast, is the 2025 Maine School Counselor of the Year. This award is part of a national program that honors school counselors who run a top-notch, comprehensive school counseling program at the elementary, middle, or high school level. | More

Submit good news to the Maine Department of Education here.

Professional Learning/Training Opportunities

Register for Inclusive Education Conference on April 10

Join the Maine Department of Education (DOE) for the state’s first Inclusive Education Conference on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the Augusta Civic Center. The conference theme is “Reimagining Education: Empowering All Learners, Embracing All Abilities.” It will provide school communities (educators, administrators, families, and students) with the tools necessary to empower every student, particularly those with disabilities, by embracing diverse abilities and ensuring that all students have the support they need to build inclusive, meaningful futures. | More

You’re Invited! Join the Conversation About Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Practices in Maine

Educators across Maine are invited to participate in facilitated discussions this spring regarding Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). These discussions will provide an opportunity for educators to share their experiences, explore best practices, and address challenges in implementing MTSS across academics, behavior, social-emotional learning, and attendance supports. | More

View the Maine Department of Education’s Events Calendar here.

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities:

Find education-related jobs in Maine.

Applications Open for Transition to Kindergarten Planning Assistance and Mini-Grant Opportunity; Informational Session on February 25

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Early Learning Team, in partnership with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Child and Family Services, is pleased to announce that applications are open for a second round of Transition to Kindergarten planning assistance with mini-grant funding to support the development of high-quality kindergarten transition teams and plans. The deadline to apply is March 7, 2025.

This opportunity is designed for school administrative units (SAUs) seeking to strengthen partnerships among children, families, community providers, and schools to ensure successful transitions into public kindergarten classrooms. The focus is on fostering family and community engagement and equitable access to transition supports.

The transition to kindergarten is an exciting yet often overwhelming time for young learners and their families. Thoughtful transition plans that include strong community partnerships help schools and educators to meet children and families where they are. This opportunity will support SAUs and community partners in building Kindergarten Transition Teams and Kindergarten Transition Plans through a structured technical assistance program that guides the strengthening of community partnerships, promotes equitable practices for families, establishes a shared understanding of kindergarten readiness, encourages consistent school attendance, and creates a sustainable support system.

Participants will:

Engage in monthly technical assistance sessions.
Receive individual support, as needed.
Form a Kindergarten Transition Team.
Develop a year-long transition plan to support children and families before, during, and after the transition to kindergarten.
(SAUs will) become eligible for mini-grants to support their implementation through the 2025-2026 school year upon finalizing transition plans in spring of 2025.
Participate in follow-up technical assistance sessions in September of 2025 and October of 2025.

All interested representatives from SAUs and community early childhood programs are invited to join an informational/Q&A session to learn more about this opportunity on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, from 4-5 p.m. Please use this Zoom link.

Participants interested in the opportunity must complete the registration form by March 7, 2025. The registration form should be completed by an SAU representative and requires identification of preliminary team members (at a minimum, representation of one SAU or school leader, one school educator/staff member, and one potential community early childhood provider) and assurances for building community partnerships and engaging in the technical assistance meetings.

If you need assistance locating childcare providers in your area, please visit Child Care Choices.

Technical assistance meetings will be held on the following dates:

March 18, 2025, from 4-5:30 p.m.
April 15, 2025, from 4-5:30 p.m.
May 27, 2025, from 4-5:30 p.m.

The Early Learning Team is part of the Maine DOE Office of Teaching and Learning. For further questions, please reach out to Marcy Whitcomb, Maine DOE Public Pre-K Consultant, at marcy.r.whitcomb@maine.gov.

Student Opportunity: Register Now for Climate&Me Youth Leadership Summit

This all-day event is designed to empower high school students in climate action. It will include student-led workshop sessions, time to meet and connect with other students, opportunities to build skills, and a library of climate action resources. Students will have the chance to hear from other young climate leaders and experts about how to drive action and change in their own schools and communities. Featured speakers and agenda updates will be announced soon!

Summit details:

Where: Wells Conference Center on the University of Maine Orono campus (131 Munson Road, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04473)

When: Friday, April 4, 2025. Check-in and breakfast begin at 8 a.m. The Summit starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m.

What to expect: The full-day Summit will offer Maine high school students and adult leaders the opportunity to connect with fellow emerging climate leaders, attend student-run breakout sessions, and build a toolkit of climate action project planning skills and resources. Educators and administrators who accompany students to the Summit will join a separate “adult track” to exchange knowledge and build connections.

How to register: First, form a cohort with one to two adult leaders (for example, a teacher, administrator, or school staff member) and two to ten students from your high school. Cohorts may be based on classes, pre-existing eco-clubs, or newly-formed groups. No prior experience running a climate project at your school is necessary!

Then, register here by March 3, 2025. Space is limited, so please consider applying early.

Download the flyer here (PDF).

For any questions, please contact Teddy Lyman, Maine DOE Climate Education Specialist, at theodore.lyman@maine.gov.

Author: Maine Department of Education